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Reliant Rebel


Manufacturer	Reliant
Production	1964 to 1973
Produced	2600
Body style	2-door saloon 2-door estate car van
Engine	598 cc/700 cc/748 cc Straight-4
Transmission	4 speed manual
Wheelbase	89 in (2,261 mm)
Length	138 in (3,505 mm)
Width	58 in (1,473 mm)
Height	55.5 in (1,410 mm)
Curb weight	538.8-603.3Kg

The Reliant Rebel was a small car produced by Reliant between 1964 and 1973.

History

conceived as an alternative to the Austin Mini and Hillman Imp. It was produced in saloon, estate and van variants.The Rebel had a body made of fibreglass. Because of this, the car's body did not rust, and it was proclaimed in advertising to be "its own garage".

Reliant Rebel car INTERIOR

Reliant Rebel car interior

Engines

The car was launched with a 598 cc engine which was increased to 701 cc in time for the October 1967 London Motor Show and at the 1972 Motor Show to 748 cc (although sometimes later 848 cc Reliant engines are retro-fitted) and the maximum speed was around 70 mph (110 km/h).

Reliant Rebel engines were of a higher compression than those that powered the Reliant Regal and the Reliant Robin.

Even the 748 cc engine introduced in 1972 offered only a claimed power output of 35 bhp (SAE) and published fuel consumption figures also indicated a car significantly more frugal than similarly sized metal bodied contemporaries.

PERFORMANCE:598 cc

Engine Capacity 36.49 cu in, 598 cu cm
Fuel Consumption 61.6 m/imp gal, 51.1 mlUS gal
Max Speed 73.5 mph, 118.3 kmh
Max power (DIN): 27 hp at 5,250 rpm
Max torque (DIN): 31 1b, 4.3 kg m at 3,000 rpm
Max number of engine rpm: 5,250
Specific power: 45.2 hp/l
Acceleration: standing 1/4 mile 25.5 sec, 0—50 mph (O 80 km/h) 23 sec
Speed in direct drive at 1,000 rpm: 14 mph, 22.5 km/h.

PERFORMANCE:700cc

Engine Capacity 42.71 cu in, 700 cu cm
Fuel Consumption 58 m/imp gal, 48 m/US gal
Max Speed 68 mph, 109.5 km/h
Power-weight ratio: 38.8 lb/hp, 17.6 kg/hp
Max power (DIN): 31 hp at 5,000 rpm
Max torque (DIN): 38 1b ft, 5.2 kg m at 2,500 rpm
Max engine rpm: 5,700
Specific power: 44.3 hp/l

Chassis, suspension and steering

The chassis was similar to that of the three-wheeled Reliant Regal, but the Rebel featured a conventional four wheel configuration which involved a significantly larger section to its rails and conventional steering. In the Rebel's case this used the steering box from a Standard Ten with wishbones, trunnions and ball-joints from the Triumph GT6 / Vitesse. The standard 12" steel wheels have a PCD of 4x4" (4x101.6mm).

Reliant Rebel 700 car

The Reliant Rebel 700 car

Gearbox

The car was introduced with a four-speed gearbox which featured synchromesh on the top three ratios. By 1972 synchromesh had been extended to all four forward speeds. The light-weight body material and the aluminium engine block meant that the car was some 15% lighter than the (slightly shorter) Mini and 35% lighter than the early Renault 5 introduced in 1972.

Only 2,600 Rebels were made in saloon, estate and van variants.

Reliant Rebel 700 Estate car

The Reliant Rebel 700 Estate

Technical

Reliant Rebel Technical details and specifications (1964-1973)
Reliant Rebel 600cc
ENGINE:598 cc
front, 4 stroke
cylinders: 4, vertical, in line
bore and stroke: 2-20 x 220 in. 56 61 mm
engine capacity: 36.49 cu in, 598 cu cm
compression ratio: 8.5
cylinder block: light alloy, wet liners
cylinder head: light alloy
crankshaft bearings: 1
side valves: 2 per cylinder,overhead,in line, push-rods and rockers
camshafts: 1. side;
lubrication: vane-type pump, full flow filter
lubricating system capacity: 5 imp pt. 5.92 US pt.
carburation: 1 Solex carburettor;
fuel feed: mechanical pump
cooling system: water.
TRANSMISSION
driving wheels: rear
clutch: single dry plate
gearbox: mechanical: gears: 4 reverse;
synchromesh gears: 2nd, 3rd, 4th
gearbox ratios 598cc: 1st 4.263, 2nd 2.397, 3rd 1.452, 4th 1, rev 5-4S6
final drive: spiral bevel
axle ratio 598cc: 4.380.
CHASSIS
box-type ladder frame
front suspension: independent, wishbones. coil springs, telescopic dampers
rear suspension: rigid axle. semi-elliptic leaf springs, lever dampers.
STEERING
cam and peg
turns of steering wheel lock to lock: 2.50.
turning circle (between walls): 54.5 ft. 16.6 m
BRAKES
front disc. rear drum.
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
voltage: 12 V
battery: 40 A
ignition distributor: Lucas
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
wheel base: 83 in, 2,108 mm
front track: 47.60in. 1,209 mm
rear track: 46.50 in. 1.181 mm
overall length: 132 in. 3.353 mm
overall width: 58 in, 1,473 mm
overall height: 54.50 in, 1.384 mm
ground clearance: 6 in, 152 mm
dry weight: lb. 5-34 kg
distribution of weight: 55.5% front axle. 44.5% rear axle
Rebel 700
ENGINE 700cc
4 stroke
cylinders: 4, vertical, in line
bore and stroke: 2.38 x 2.40 in, 60.4 x 61 mm
engine capacity: 42.71 cu in, 700 cu cm
compression ratio: 8.4
cylinder block: light alloy
cylinder head: light alloy
crankshaft bearings: 3
valves: 2 per cylinder, overhead, push-rods and rockers
camshafts: 1, side
lubrication: eccentric pump, full now filter
lubricating system capacity: 5 imp pt. 5.92 US pt, 2.8 1
carburation: 1 Zenith 30 IZ downdraught carburettor
fuel feed: mechanical pump
cooling system: water
TRANSMISSION
gearbox ratios 700cc: 1st 4.267, 2nd 2.461. 3rd 1.454, 4th 1, rev 5.493
gear lever: central; final drive: spiral bevel
axle ratio 700cc: 4.375.
STEERING
recirculating ball
turns of steering wheel lock to lock: 2.40.
turning circle (between walls): 27 ft. 8.2 m;
BRAKES
drum
area rubbed by linings front: 62.56 sq in, 403.51 sq cm
area rubbed by linings rear: 55 sq in. 354.75 sq cm
area rubbed by linings total: 117.56 sq in, 758.26 sq cm.

DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
wheel base: 89 in, 2,261 mm
front track: 48 in. 1,219 mm
rear track: 46.60 in, 1,184 mm
overall length: 137 in, 3,480 mm
overall width: 58 in, 1,473 mm
overall height: 56.50 in, 1,435 mm
ground clearance: 5.50 in, 140 mm
dry weight: 1,202 1b, 545 kg
700 Estate Car
overall length 145.75 in, 3,702 mm
overall height 55.50 in, 1,410 mm
© Motor car History

Service

Reliant Rebel maintenance and Service Guide (1964-1973)

600cc
fuel: 90 oct petrol
engine oil: 4 imp pt. US pt. 2.3 1, SAE 20-30, change every 5,000 miles, 8,000 km
gearbox oil; 1.50 imp pt, 1.90 US pt, 0.9 1, SAE 20-30, change every 5,000 miles, 8,000 km
final drive oil: 2 imp pt. 2.33 US pt. 1.1 i, SAE 90 EP,change every 15,000 miles, 24,100 km
greasing every 3,000 miles, 4,800 km, 8 points
tappet clearances: inlet 0.006 in, 0.15 exhaust 0.006 in, 0.15 mm
valve timing: inlet opens 10° before tdc and closes 50° after bdc, exhaust opens 50° before tdc and closes 10° after tdc
tyre pressure(normal load): front 24 psi, 1.7 atm, rear 24 psi, 1.7 atm.
width of rims: 3.5"
tyres: 5.50 x 12
fuel tank capacity: 6 imp gal, 7.1 US gal, 27 1.
carrying capacity: 706 1b, 320 kg
700cc

fuel: 98 oct petrol
engine oil: 5 imp Pt. 5.92 US pt, 2.8 1, SAE 20-30, change every 5,000 miles, 8,000 km
gearbox oil: 1 imp pt, 1.27 US pt, 0.6 1, SAE 20-30, change every 5,000 miles, 8,000 km
final drive oil: 2 imp pt, 2.32 US pt, 1.1 1, SAE 90 EPI change every 5,000 miles, 8,000 km
greasing: every 5,000 miles, 8,000 km, 5 points
cooling system capacity: 7 imp pt, 8.5 US pt, 4 1.
tappet clearances: inlet 0.006 in, 0.15 mm, exhaust 0.006 in, 0.15 m
© Motor car History